Diabetic Nephropathy is a progressive kidney disease caused by angiopathy of
capillaries in the kidney glomeruli. It is due to longstanding Diabetes (15
years or more after onset), and is a prime cause for dialysis in many western
countries. If the disease cannot get controlled well, Diabetic Nephropathy will
continue to get gradually worse. We collect the classification of Diabetic
Nephropathy as below.
1. Glomerular high filtration stage.
In this stage, the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) increases and the kidney
become enlarged. Meanwhile, renal blood flow and the glomerular capillaries
perfusion will also arise. Kidney impairment of this stage is reversible with
prompt treatment.
2. Normal urinary albumin stage.
The value of albumin in urine is normal (<20μg/min or 30mg/24h), but there
are glomerular structure changes. Patients will find protein in the urine after
having strenuous activity, so enough rest is needed.
3. Early stage of Diabetic Nephropathy
This stage is featured by mildly elevated blood pressure and the renal
function begins to decline. The course of Diabetes has been 5~15 years.
4. Clinical stage of Diabetic Nephropathy
Patients may appear large quantity of proteinuria, hematuria and high blood
pressure. With gradual loss of protein in urine, hypoproteinemia and edema can
be caused. The course of Diabetes has been 10~30 years. The renal functions
deteriorate greatly.
5. End-stage renal disease (ESRD), or Uremia
Renal Failure can be resulted from progressive decline of renal filtration
function. Eventually, GFR declines to less than 10mL/min in most cases, and the
creatinine and blood urea nitrogen increase accompanied by severe high blood
pressure, edema and hypoproteinemia. Patients have to undergo dialysis or a
kidney transplant to sustain life.